February 7, 2022
North Platte, Nebraska
Meeting of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners. Present were Commissioners Joe Hewgley, Kent Weems, Micaela Wuehler, Chris Bruns, Jerry Woodruff and County Clerk, Rebecca Rossell. Wuehler offered prayer. Bruns called the meeting to order at 9:00 A.M.
Chairman Bruns announced the Open Meeting Act with amendments is posted for public review and the county board will comply with the open meeting requirements.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Weems to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners meeting held on January 31, 2022. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, and Bruns voted “aye”. Nays, none. Woodruff abstained.
Motion by Weems, seconded by Woodruff to receive and order filed the treasurer’s receipts. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Woodruff to receive and order filed the fee report submitted by the County Clerk. Upon roll call vote, Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Weems, seconded by Wuehler to adopt Resolution No. 2022-04 in support of LB 788 which changes appropriations intent language and matching provision funds under the Nebraska Rural Affairs Act. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Hewgley to adopt Resolution No. 2022-05 in support of LB 1125 which appropriates federal funds to the Department of Economic Development for new construction of industrial rail yards. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners recessed at 9:15 A.M. and the Lincoln County Board of Equalization convened.
Chairman Bruns announced the Open Meeting Act with amendments is posted for public review and the county board will comply with the open meeting requirements.
Deputy County Assessor, Pat Collins appeared along with Deputy County Treasurer, Sheri Newton.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Wuehler to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Equalization meeting held on January 31, 2022. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, and Bruns voted “aye”. Nays, none. Woodruff abstained.
No certificates of correction or refund submitted by the County Assessor.
Motion by Weems, seconded by Woodruff to approve the motor vehicle tax exemption application submitted by Riverside Baptist Church. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
The Lincoln County Board of Equalization adjourned at 9:20 A.M. and the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners reconvened.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Weems to authorize the Chairman to sign an Underwriting Engagement & Disclosure letter with D. A. Davidson for possible refunding bonds. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Weems to adopt Resolution No. 2022-06 authorizing the early redemption of the County’s General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2017. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Weems, seconded by Wuehler to adopt Resolution No. 2022-07 authorizing the issuance by the County of its General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2022, in the principal amount not to exceed $4,700,000, for the purpose of refinancing the County’s General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2017 in order to achieve interest cost of savings, and related matters. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Ongoing discussion was held concerning a salt shed for the Lincoln County Road Dept. The County Board’s previous questions had been addressed by the bidder. The bidder is willing to split the project over two fiscal years.
Commissioner Wuehler reported that if you look at the current structure up close it needs attention.
Commissioner Woodruff had a question on salt corrosion.
Werblow responded that the beams are hot dipped galvanized steel.
Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Wuehler to utilize Tom Werblow along with legal counsel, Tyler Volkmer, in negotiating and completing the bid from Winston Michael Contracting in the amount of $169,515 for a fabric covered salt shed with payments split between two fiscal years. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Weems, seconded by Woodruff to appoint Lynn S. Frederick to fill the vacancy on the Lincoln County Noxious Weed Board effective immediately to fill the vacancy created by the late Ron Aden. This term will end January, 2023. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Discussed authorizing the North Platte/Lincoln County Visitor’s Bureau to incorporate as a non-profit organization, 501(c) 6, separate and apart from the County of Lincoln, Nebraska. Executive Director, Lisa Burke, reported they had conducted legal research on how to move this process forward including a letter from the Nebraska Attorney General. She submitted letters of support from multiple interested parties.
Deputy County Attorney, Tyler Volkmer, stated the research centered around can this be done and how to do it. He recommends proceeding in a strategic manner over a period of time.
Commissioner Weems questioned how the County Board would know that the Visitors Bureau current advisory board would stay viable.
Burke replied that there are statutory requirements and they have always tried to have a diverse board. The proposed new Board of Directors, would have one County Commissioner and one City Council Member as voting members.
Volkmer interjected that this would be an annual contract. If the County Board is not happy with the service they can separate.
Motion by Wuehler, seconded by Woodruff to authorize the Chairman to take necessary action authorizing the separation of the North Platte/Lincoln County Visitor’s Bureau. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Discussed entering into a lease agreement for office equipment and other county property with the non-profit listed above.
Volkmer told board members that these items cannot be donated to them due to state statute.
Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Wuehler to authorize Vice Chairman Woodruff and Deputy County Attorney, Tyler Volkmer, to work with North Platte/Lincoln County Visitor’s Bureau to develop a lease agreement. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Discussed entering into a contract with the non-profit above to provide services to Lincoln County under the Nebraska Visitors Development Act.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Woodruff to authorize the Chairman, committee representative and legal counsel to work with the North Platte/Lincoln County Visitor’s Bureau to draft a contract and bring it back to the County Board for consideration. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Weems, seconded by Wuehler to go into closed session at 10:26 A.M. to discuss strategy with respect to pending or imminent litigation. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Chairman Bruns restated the motion for the closed session.
Motion by Weems, seconded by Woodruff to go back into open session at 11:19 A.M. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Hear concerns from Elected Officials, Department Heads or their representative.
Approved the following claims as presented for payment:
General:
Acclrtd Recv Sol se 1237.50
Adms Swnsn se 2089.33
Allo se 641.24
Amazon su 141.13
Am Red Crs se 140.00
Brkmn Bzta se 420.00
Blk Hls Stage se 240.50
Cptl Bus Sys se 815.22
State of NE contr 204.30
Cervelle Acadmc se 1092.52
C Farley mi 252.72
C Durham se 2280.00
C Bruns mi 117.00
City of NP su 195.09
Clk Dist Crt se 1723.00
Cmnty Conn se 11729.29
D Ford se 129.41
D Burby se 214.00
Eakes su 3808.46
EMC ins 79.50
Empire Mngd Sol su 495.00
FedEx se 34.88
Globalstar se 104.94
GP Health se 1409.51
Hi-Line Coop se 200.00
Hometown Lsg rt 658.74
Rudolph Law se 1930.00
J Orr mi 44.46
K Andrews se 59.78
K Weems mi 128.70
LC Crt se 3040.00
LC Jail PC su 659.20
Lindemeier Law contr 9665.33
L Russell mi 10.44
Malcom, Nelsen se 3522.28
M McKeone se 4731.00
M Haines ex 91.61
M Troshynski se 7012.50
Menards eq 208.34
Mentzer Oil se 205.82
Meyer Creative su 410.84
MIPS se 3221.41
NAEM reg 440.00
NACT se 230.00
NE Notary se 154.00
NE PPD se 420.00
NP Police contr 10441.87
NWE se 553.86
Office Depot su 1635.24
Pitney Bowes pstg 15000.00
Region II HS se 11642.02
Scotts Bluff Cnty Sherf se 29.60
Seevers Auto se 123.85
Cnty Sherif Fees se 2629.31
LC Sheriff PC se 30.99
Shred It su 482.64
Summit Food contr 4722.69
T Fox se 175.75
Transunion Rick contr 125.40
UNL-NP rt 158.51
Wstfld Flrl su 100.48
Wm Troshynski se 4500.00
Wood Aitken se 79111.95
Roads:
Allo se 159.19
Blk Hls Enrgy se 752.25
Cptl Bus Sys su 7.38
Carquest se 1128.06
Const Rtl su 141.00
Custom Tarps re 280.00
Fastenal su 18.15
Hershey Coop se 78.62
Home Lmbr su 113.91
Jannsen re 33.78
Kohler Trlr re 296.70
Menards su 112.15
Midlands su 90.00
Miller re 115.73
Murphy Trctr re 6351.92
NSG su 1722.72
NE Trk Ctr re 21428.14
NWE se 894.77
Scotty’s re 108.58
TC Engrg se 5672.87
Troyer Entrp re 11.59
TV Comm se 52.06
Vilg Brady se 88.29
Vlg Hershey se 129.44
Vlg Wallace se 25.00
P & M Fund:
Eakes se 186.30
Self-Funded Ins:
Frst Cncrd ins 3297.89
The meeting was adjourned at 11:45 A.M.
Advance notice and the agenda for the February 7, 2022 board meetings were sent to the county board and all others requesting the same. Advance public notice (includes agenda) of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners meeting and the Lincoln County Board of Equalization meeting was posted at the Lincoln County Courthouse, City Hall and the Lincoln County website on February 4, 2022; and was also emailed to the media on February 4, 2022.
The agenda for the meetings to be held on Monday, February 14, 2022 will be kept
continually current and open for inspection at the office of the Lincoln County Clerk. The regular meeting of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners will be at the Lincoln County Courthouse in the Commissioners Room at 9:00 A.M. The regular meeting of the Lincoln County Board of Equalization will be at the Lincoln County Courthouse in the Commissioners Room at 9:15 A.M.
Rebecca J. Rossell
Lincoln County Clerk
